Man in the Music

The Creative Life and Work of Michael Jackson

By: Joseph Vogel

Narrated by: Keith Sellon-Wright

Length: 16 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

For half a century, Michael Jackson’s music has been an indelible part of our cultural consciousness. Landmark albums such as Off the Wall and Thriller shattered records, broke racial barriers, amassed awards, and set a new standard for popular music. While his songs continue to be played in nearly every corner of the world, however, they have rarely been given serious critical attention.

The first book dedicated solely to exploring his creative work, Man in the Music guides us through an unparalleled analysis of Jackson’s recordings, album by album, from his trailblazing work with Quincy Jones to his later collaborations with Teddy Riley, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, and Rodney Jerkins. Drawing on rare archival material and on dozens of original interviews with the collaborators, engineers, producers, and songwriters who helped bring the artist’s music into the world, Jackson expert and acclaimed cultural critic Joseph Vogel reveals the inspirations, demos, studio sessions, technological advances, setbacks and breakthroughs, failures and triumphs, that gave rise to an immortal body of work.

©2019 Joseph Vogel (P)2019 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Brilliantly cracks the DNA of Michael Joseph Jackson.... A pointed, intelligent dissection of an epic body of work." (Spike Lee)

"The only comprehensive and critical rundown of Jackson’s solo material." (Rolling Stone)

"A must-have for any Jackson fan.... A fascinating read.... Each song Jackson recorded during his solo career is examined with a critical eye." (Associated Press)

"Don’t be surprised if it makes you go back and listen...with a whole new outlook on the King of Pop." (Zack O'Malley Greenburg, author of Michael Jackson, Inc.)

"This is the kind of book about Michael Jackson’s music, artistry, and creativity that really needed to be written - and Joseph Vogel has done it and done it very well. I am absolutely floored by Joe’s in-depth research and perceptive insight into what made Michael the one-of-a-kind, recording-breaking King of Pop. And - amazingly enough - even I learned a lot!" (J. Randy Taraborrelli, author of Michael Jackson: The Magic and the Madness)

"[Man in the Music] celebrates Michael’s songs and artistry in a wonderful journey through his music." (Jermaine Jackson)

THOUGHT PROCESS

LOVE EVERY ASPECT OF HIS IMAGINATION. NO ONE THINKS OR THOUGHT LIKE HIM. I WISH HE LIVED FOR MORE.

Great body of work

A fascinating window into what made Michael Jackson of interest in the first place. Sad life and some I’ll advised decisions on his end but great, great entertainer and musician.

Highly recommend

This edition has been updated (2019)!

I'm only in the foreword, but 20 minutes in, the book *is* conscious of Jackson's personal life, its (considerable) shortcomings, including the recent Netflix documentary.

Really enjoying so far. Very well written - broad in scope but delightful in detail. Will update after completing.

Thank you

This is a must for any fan, musician, performer,or songwriter. Brilliant. Thanks for bringing the music back to Michael Jackson. Much needed

MJ the artist

I love the insight stories of the technicity and work ethics and environment of MJ.
The craft man, the accomplished artist , this side of it is personality, the man at work.
This is what we should know about MJ.
it's all I ever wanted to read about him.

A catalog of Michael Jackson’s art

Michael Jackson well always be the king of pop and the greatest entertainers that ever lived this book pretty much gives a deep look into his artistry perfectionism gives you a deep inside of the off the wall thriller BAD Dangerous HIStory Past Present and Future Book 1 Blood on the dance floor Invincible albums the story behind the creation of thoses album I recommend hardcore Michael Jackson of this book

Fantastic tribute to the studio work of MJ!

What a wonderfully made book for the King of Pop! It dives into his studio work track by track for ALL of his songs (even his lesser known appearances). You truly get to know that Michael wasn’t just an amazing performer but a true artist that wrote, produced, arranged and worked hard on his craft until he died. It has quotes from all of his collaborators including Quincy Jones, Teddy Riley and Rodney Jerkins. It paints the context of what was happening in his life at the time of the music creation without making it into a biography or tabloid trash. I highly recommend this for anyone that would like to know more about Michael the musical artist.

Full of inaccuracies, hearsay and sensationalism

A classic hit piece with aim to defame Michael Jackson. 90 % of the book consists of lies and inaccuracies